Brief:
This is really a very simple modification involving two kits: the Estes
Eliminator and the Quest Super Eagle. What I did was to swap the nose cone of
the Eliminator with the payload section of the Super Eagle. I did this to
mainly to create "Eagleator", a 24mm payload rocket suitable for
altimeter calibration using C-F motors. Initially, I did this by modifying a
Super Eagle for 24mm motors. (You can read this here on EMRR as a
"tip/hint" I submitted earlier for the Super Eagle.) The
"Eagleator" approach is faster, gives a more robust rocket, and as a
by-product, gives you a "chopped" Super Eagle with much better
performance on C-power than the original Quest product. I call it
"SuperShort". You now have an extended Eliminator called
"Eagleator" with altimeter capability and a shortened Super Eagle
that flies beautifully on B and C motors.
Construction:
What could be easier? Buy a Quest Super Eagle kit and an Estes Eliminator kit.
Assemble both according to the instructions, EXCEPT:
PRO: Swapping the upper ends of the Estes Eliminator and Quest Super Eagle creates two more interesting rockets (in my opinion). A simple, reliable payload rocket for altimeter calibration is a must, in my opinion. There's no other way to be sure the things are still working right if you don't get "standard" altitude readings on "standard" flights with known motor-rocket combinations. Plus, flying E30 or F21 SU motors or 24mm reloads in the Eagleator has less risk of being lost than in the somewhat lighter Eliminator.
CON: Well, you do have to buy two kits to make Eagleator, so it would be nice to have a use for the "shortie" Super Eagle you get out of the deal. They make great flying rockets for junior flyers and are much faster and higher flying than the original product.
Flight:
The Eagleator will fly well on the following motors: C11-3, D12-5, E9-6, E30-7,
F21-8. "Standard" altitude using a 20g PerfectFlite MicroAlt on a
195g Eagleator with an 62g E9-6 is typically 1040'. It goes to about 470-500'
on a D12-5 (altimeter) and about half this high on a C11-3 (my
"guesstimate"--no altimeter). I have also flown Eagleator on a F21-8
and a E30-7 but without the altimeter riding along because I was a little
afraid of a shred (although it held together just fine). Sims say 1700' on the
E30 and 2300' on the F21 with 310-330 mph on both flights. When I'm doing
serious altimeter flying for Cd determinations, I usually fly it with the D12
in Eagleator first to verify a reading of 470-500'--my "calibration".
I no longer have the shortened Super Eagle, since I don't fly C6s very much. I gave it away to a sad-eyed little guy who had just watched his Estes Alpha (or something like it) float away and sink into the bay on a windy day.
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